Finally some movement at West Ham United; Daniel Cummings becoming the first new face at the Premier League outfit and talks over El Hadji Malick Diouf progressing fast.
You wait all summer for one signing, and a handful arrive at once.
Of course, for all his obvious potential, a Scotland Under-19 international is not quite the marquee, first-team-improving addition the West Ham United fans were praying for. The same cannot be said of El Hadji Malick Diouf, however.
West Ham are nearing a £21.5 million deal for the Slavia Prague left-back. Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Brighton wanted Diouf too, alongside Crystal Palace and Atalanta.
But, only a few weeks after Diouf had Bukayo Saka ‘in hell’ as Senegal stunned England in Nottingham, the all-action left-back looks destined to become the first big-money arrival of the off-season.
Behind the scenes, however, the Hammers have been working hard in an effort to add more fresh-faced talent to their academy.
West Ham United sign Northern Ireland starlet Callum Leacock from Linfield
Sporting director Mark Noble was delighted to land Daniel Cummings when the striker turned down a new contract at Celtic.
And, after West Ham snapped up Joel Kerr earlier in the year, the London Stadium outfit have now secured the services of another of Northern Ireland’s brightest talents; Linfield starlet Callum Leacock.
Like Kerr, 16-year-old Leacock is a talented Gaelic footballer as well as a pretty tidy soccer player.
Rossa Gaels Derry bid a proud farewell to their teen sensation this week, confirming that Leacock was set to complete a ‘dream’ move to one of the Premier League’s most recognisable institutions.
Leacock, who has represented Northern Ireland at Under-17 level, has now been pictured signing a three-year deal with the Hammers.
“Great to see so many Northern Ireland teenagers making moves across the water in recent times,” Belfast Telegraph reporter Steve Beacom writes on X.
“Callum Leacock has now completed his transfer to West Ham from Linfield having started out at Magherafelt Sky Blues and played for the Derry GAA Minor team.
“Talented boy.”
Leacock, a right-back, made his Linfield debut during April’s 2-1 defeat by Larne in the Northern Ireland Premier League play-offs.
His long-term ambition will, of course, be to follow in the footsteps of Vladimir Coufal while cementing his place as West Ham’s go-to option on the right-hand side of the backline.
Joel Kerr tipped for big things as Vladimir Coufal’s son joins West Ham academy
Coufal’s son joined the West Ham academy earlier this year, while his father continues to search for an opportunity to stay in London and keep a close eye on his lad’s development.
Coufal missed out on a move to Fulham. There are, though, plenty of other clubs in and around the English capital who would benefit from his experience and enduring quality at both ends of the pitch.
As for the aforementioned Joel Kerr, the view from across the sea is that West Ham have landed themselves a ‘natural footballer with real quality’, not to mention a fierce sense of determination.
“We are absolutely delighted for Joel and his family,” Andy Mathieson, Head of Player Development at Glentoran, said when the move was confirmed. “This is a fantastic opportunity for a young player who has shown exceptional dedication, maturity and talent throughout his time in the Glentoran Academy.
“He’s a natural footballer with real quality, but it’s his attitude and work ethic that truly set him apart.
“From an early age, Joel stood out as a real prospect. Someone with undoubted ability and the mindset to match. He’s worked incredibly hard on his game and always listened to the Academy staff. That blend of talent and mentality meant we always had high hopes for him.
“We’re excited to watch Joel continue his development at West Ham and we’ll be supporting him every step of the way.
“Joel’s move is another huge boost for our Academy and underlines our position as one of the leading youth development programmes in the country.
“Whether players break into the Glentoran first team or move across the water to professional clubs, our focus is to develop technically gifted, tactically intelligent and well-rounded young footballers who are ready for the next step on their football career.”
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